In May, 2001, I got
to play five different characters in Little Shop of Horrors. (My
previous role was Herr Schultz in Cabaret. Click
here for photos.) My main role in Little Shopwas playing the
sadistic dentist, Orin Scrivello, who spent most of his time menacing his
girlfriend Audrey or pulling people's teeth without anaesthetic. A week after
the show was over, I developed a toothache and dreamed that my dentist refused
to numb my mouth before drilling. Life imitates art.

The other characters
I played were a bum, an NBC television producer named Bernstein, a sleazy
representative of the William Morris Agency named Skip Snip, and - in my first
female role - Claire Booth Luce, wife of Life Magazine editor Henry
Luce. This show also allowed me to fulfil my lifelong ambition of being a
Muppeteer when I got to operate an evil plant puppet during the show's final
number.

Enjoy the photos and
review below.

Shop sells showtime at its
best

CULT classic Little Shop of Horrors has a little
bit of everything. It has foot-tapping and tear-jerking songs, structures
to rival Cole Porter at his best, wonderfully clever acknowledgements to a
variety of genres, a wildly funny main story and an allegorical sub-plot which
blossoms fantastically at the climax.

This is a terrific production, splendidly directed and
with universally excellent performances from a hugely talented cast.From the moment the three-girl Motown chorus delivered
the first number, we knew we were in for a treat.All four leads are fine actors and powerful
singers.The sadistic dentist Orin has a great comic song and
George Tilesley [sic] did it more than justice.American greed and consumption are epitomised by the
vast, overpowering plant - an embodiment of President George W Bush if ever
there was one! [what a strange thing to say - Ed.]John Billington - Curtain Call Awards Review